Australasian Journal on Ageing · Jun 13, 2023
Lifestyle factors and incident functional disability among a rural ageing population in South Africa
By Pengpid S, Peltzer K
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the relationship between lifestyle factors and incident functional disability in South Africa. METHODS: Longitudinal data (N = 4113) from two consecutive waves in 2014/2015 and 2018/2019 in Agincourt, South Africa, were analysed. RESULTS: Moderate sedentary behaviour (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.31-2.58) and being overweight (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10-2.36) increased the odds of incident functional disability among men. Moderate and high sedentary behaviour (AOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.57, and AOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.08-3.10) increased the odds, and frequent fruit intake (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.91) and moderate physical activity (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30-0.75) decreased the odds of incident functional disability among women. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behaviour and being overweight increased odds, and physical activity and frequent fruit intake decreased odds of incident functional disability among ageing men and/or women in South Africa.